Clay Class

Lily and I have been taking a mother/daughter class downtown and usually we make separate projects. This week we had to work together though. Of course she wanted a faerie house and of course she had to furnish it. She described to me what she wanted and how to construct, I created and engineered the structure to her specifications.  The fireplace hearth is big enough for a tea candle. There is a vent hole for smoke. The bottom will strong enough to set on stones. The welcome mat has texture for wiping little boots.

It isn't finished yet. Next week we will paint and glaze it before it gets fired.

The class is more than art though. Lily and I get to talk, as we create. I am right by her side as she engages in an art she really really loves. Just like when Holly steps foot in a dance studio and lights up, Lily melts away her tough shell when she pries open the steel security door and dances down the hall to the clay studio. She doesn't have to be a big sister or a farm girl or perform for anybody here. In the studio she is Lily the artist. Lily with her own tools. Lily with her spot in the kiln. She cleans up after herself, shows the younger kids how to work machines that they have never used, and sings and smiles and laughs.

Then on the drive home we crank the windows down and the music up, sing as loud as we can while cruising down the rural highway home at dusk. We pull over to take pictures, we tell folklore stories, tonight she sang me a song in Nixie called Pinkora about a magical world with a giant pink moon that births fairies once a week. That's Pinkora with a rolling rrrrr.

This girl is the magic. I hope she always remembers that.

Adventures For Summer

I am too tired and to back logged in my online work to spend too much time typing up some thoughts I have had this week on serious subjects so this post is just to gush about how blessed and wonderful this week has been.

Isaac has continued to walk. At first it was just in the afternoons, after lunch. Now, he's at it all day. It just makes my heart explode with joy to see him come around a corner and toddle across the room into my arms. He also taught himself (from the iTouch program) to sign heart. He signs it when we ask him where his heart is, but also does it when I ask him where his love is.... and then he says, Mama.

We had adventures this week. Full speed. Ballet camp, playing with new friends, lunch with one of my mentors and friends. Art class, playing with new friends. A day at home full of farm chores and phone calls and running running running running. Lunch as dragons and princesses on the square.

Finally, we topped off the week with horse lessons and an amusement park trip. Oh the girls were in love. Isaac was frustrated that there were so many rides he was too small for, but kettle corn seemed to make it up to him. Plus, he borrowed a sweet ride.

My girls had never been to a ride park like this. They have been on carousels at the park, zoo, and mall.....but nothing like this. When we got an invitation, I hesitated. It wasn't something that I like to do and I usually lead the adventures....but life and learning are about new experiences and deciding what you like. The girls can decide for themselves. Oh my. They are huge fans, especially Holly. If the ride was fast and furious, she wanted on. She was too little to ride on some without an adult so she drug me on with her. Eek. Not my cup of tea, but holding her in my arms while she screams a joyous and wild, WhooooooooHooooo!!!! is my cup of tea. Oh that girl. She will fly.

Easy Summer Dinner: French Bread Garden "Naked" Sandwiches

French Bread Garden "Naked" Sandwiches

Ingredients:
Mushrooms
Chevre (or cream cheese)
French Bread
Tomato
Basil
Asiago
Butter 
Seasoning

Fry sliced mushrooms in butter, add favourite seasoning.
Slice French sourdough thin, spread on chevre or cream cheese.
Top with whole leaf fresh basil and slice of garden fresh tomato.
Serve with the hot mushrooms and sprinkle with Asiago cheese.

Homeschool/Farm Update July 18th

We had days rolling around playing with Holly's new trumpet. Lily taught Isaac all about grubs in the play area, how to blow bubbles, and how to really shake it when he dances! Isaac figured out how to climb up and into the sink, turn on the water, and wash dishes with his feet. We found a wasp pinned to a tree with a tiny fairy arrow. Probably another wasp's stinger, but it looked like a fairy arrow and the girls spent a long time examining the dead wasp up close, touching its wings.

This week was fun. We got peahens and named them Ann and Beyonce. Lily cooked up the first peahen egg. I was offered $15 for a peacock egg and I will never get sick of how funny that is. Peacocks don't lay eggs! When people as what they taste like I answer, like duck eggs but more pretentious. Oh we are soooo funny sometimes. These ladies are never ending sources of beauty and laughter and joy for me. I love them so much. I shall have a fowl army of peahens and peacocks and bring up the rear with Muscovy ducks. I shall rule the farm with my fowl army!

A new cafe opened in the local to us town and it is fantastic. I love the food. The kids are enamoured with one of the servers who told them he had eaten dandelion fritters just like they do.

Holly has been playing Ben Ten Mega Dragon all week. She also almost dreaded her hair. That's fixed now. It was not intentional. The girls learned more about electrical current via the electric fence. There was a lot of tree swinging. We worked together on chores quite a few times. Lily practiced first aid too. The calf is growing.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. Now onward to the weekend!